If you can even begin to measure "sap[ping] the intellectual potential of humanity" then we should be talking about the most pointless brain-drain of our age -

If you can even begin to measure "sap[ping] the intellectual potential of humanity" then we should be talking about the most pointless brain-drain of our age - thousands of the most highly talented technical minds all being relegated to serving increasingly targeted ads. Yes there is a huge economic incentive for these individuals to pursue this work, but I don't think its a stretch to say it cant be benefitting humanity overall in any real useful way.